There is a common misconception that the life of a model is one full of glamour and excitement, prestige and fabulosity.  You would think that 1,335,437 cycles of thin young girls  getting roundly dissed by divas on America’s Next Top Model would dispel this myth, but the lure of ‘free expensive clothes for being genetically blessed’ is admittedly pretty strong.

Still, this video might help matters. You might remember that  last month I grumbled mildly about the new ‘Japanese style’ crossing in Oxford Circus. The website Brand Alley has hopped on the ‘topical’ bandwagon by creating this  viral video, to publicise their new sale. It’s pretty darn cool, but just think: yes, you and your bulbous nose and size 14 arse might be stuck photocopying handouts or gazing at a computer screen all day, but at least you don’t have to be covered in paint and sent out naked into the wilds of central London (temperature 8 degrees C)  to earn a living!

Incidentally, if you happen to be in the Oxford Circus area (fully clothed and paint free, one hopes) why not check out these great Metrotwin recommended places nearby:

Topshop – Fashion mecca.

Mother Mash – Friday = pieday.

Playlounge – Japanese toys for the manchild (or small plastic gonk addicted Metrotwin Editor) in your life.

Flat White – Best. Coffee. In. Soho.

Beyond Retro – Vintage clothes treasure trove (Soho branch located at 58 Great Malborough Street)

The Shaston Arms – A friendly little Soho pub.

After a couple of months of disruption, the £5 million  ‘Japanese style crossing’ has finally opened in Oxford Circus. Most boring blogpost ever? Bear with me…

It’s called ‘Japanese style’ because you can cross in basically any direction and is inspired by the famous crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo. Observe:

Now I have been to Shibuya, and it is indeed amazing to watch the crossing in action – it almost seems there is  a forcefield of courtesy around every person as no one pushes, no one rushes and people barely touch. Amazing. Naturally my brother and I lumbered through as inexpertly as a pair of three legged dogs trying to chase a flock of geese, but what else could you expect from a couple of genetically clumsy and flat footed gajin?

Anyway with ‘the bang of a gong’ (and the collective shudder of  most Londoners one suspects) Mayor Boris Johnson declared the crossing open. Now I am never one to be negative, but I fear our approach to road etiquette might be slightly different to the Japanese.. indeed, if you watch the video below from about 00.53 and pretend that Scar actually says “Mufasa! Quick! Simba left his purse in Topshop’s changing rooms and wants to meet you outside Hennes!” Then this might be a closer picture of how things will go down: